Moreno de Souza SJ - Konkani’s illustrious writers

Moreno de Souza SJ
1923-2007


Fr Moreno de Souza SJ (1923-2007), one of Konkani’s illustrious writers, passed away on October 14, 2007 at 7.30 pm at the JMJ Hospital, Alto-Porvorim, Goa. His mortal remains will he housed at the Bom Jesus Basilica, Old Goa and interred on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at 4.00 pm.

Fr Moreno de Souza SJ was born on November 3, 1923, at Pilerne, Bardez, Goa at his mother’s house; his father was from Marna, Siolim. They later shifted to Pilerne permanently. Moreno completed his matriculation from Mater Dei Institute, Saligao. Being persuaded by Monsignor Ayres Fernandes from Siolim to write in his own mother tongue, Moreno, as a boy, began writing in Konkani. In 1944 Moreno joined the Society of Jesus. He completed his priestly training in Mumbai, Shembaganur (Tamil Nadu), Ranchi, Belgaum, Granada and Salamanca in Spain. He was ordained a priest on July 15, 1958 in Granada, Spain.

Fr Moreno ardently loved his mother tongue Konkani. His two maternal uncles were priests and musicians, which furthered his interests in composing songs, hymns and poetry. He knew several languages such as Latin, Greek, Spanish, Portuguese, Catalina, Marathi, Tamil and Hindi. Soon after his ordination Fr Moreno regularly started contributing to Aitarachem Vachop, a Konkani weekly run by the Salesians. He also contributed to Udentechem Neketr, a weekly from Bombay as also to Vavraddeancho Ixtt. He was inspired by the people of Ranchi to write religious hymns in Konkani when he saw Adivasi Christians singing their religious songs in Hindi.

Fr Moreno rendered invaluable service to the Konkani monthly Dor Mhoineachi Rotti in the Roman script. Fr Moreno was instrumental in keeping this publication alive till date. Dor Mhoineachi Rotti was first started in Karachi, Pakistan in 1915. In 1960 its office was shifted to Bombay. Later, when Fr Moreno was posted at Bom Jesus Basilica, Old Goa, he was entrusted with the responsibility of this magazine. He served the readers of Dor Mhoineachi Rotti for the last 42 years as editor, till August 2006, after which this magazine was handed over to the Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr, Porvorim, Goa.

Fr Moreno had established himself as a historian by dint of his hard work. His outstanding research and work on the Churches of Goa in Konkani (in the Roman script) deserve special mention. They include 4 volumes: Tisvaddecheo Igorzo, Bardescheo Igorzo, and Saxtticheo Igorzo (two volumes). Besides these he has authored 24 books in Konkani. His last book, Saxtticheo Igorzo (second volume) on the Churches of Salcette was released on September 23, 2007. He contributed innumerable articles in Konkani in the Roman script which were published in Vavaraddeancho Ixtt, Gulab, The Goan Review, Goencho Avaz, etc. He also penned a number of articles in English on varied subjects such as the Konkani language, literature and culture. Besides, he served the Konkani-speaking people by means of his preaching in various churches in Goa and elsewhere.

Fr Moreno was a member of the All India Sahitya Academy, New Delhi, Dalgado Konknni Akademi and Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr. He received numerous awards for his contribution to Konkani from Konknni Bhasha Mandal, Goa, Kala Academy, Gulab as well as Man of the Year award from The Goan Review. Fr Moreno was conferred the prestigious Goa State Cultural Award on February 16, 2007.

Fr. Moreno will be fondly remembered by generations of churchgoers and visitors to the Bom Jesus Basilica, Old Goa, irrespective of their religion. His documentation of the Churches of Goa is a unique contribution that will see reprints long after his memory fades with the passage of time. Surely, his books and his charisma will keep Fr Moreno alive for generations to come.

Jezuchea Khandar Khuris

Jezuchea Khandar Khuris

Guneanv nastana, Jezuk guneanvkari kortale
Moskoreo korun, churchure nastana martale
Jezuchea khandar tannim Khuris ghalo
khandar khuris gheun kalvarichi vatt chol’lo.

Jezun ogeponnim aplea khandar to ghetlo
Don-ui hatamni, Khursak ghott vengoilo
Kalvaracho rosto, lokot-lokot cholunk laglo
Jezu Khursachea bharan, zomnir poddlo.

Nixttureamni, Jezuk boll korun marun uttoilo
Porot khuris, Jezuchea khandar bollan dilo
Takot nasli torui, Jezu fuddli vatt tanklo
Koxttamni oskot zavn Khursa bharan zomnir xevttolo.

Simanv Sirinev vattsur, vatter mellta
Jezucho khuris vhorunk, marekar taka laitat.
Jezu matr apnnail’lea Khursachi veng soddinam,
Khursa sangata, Kalvar dongor choddta.

Jezuche koxtt, polleunostoreo dukhamni roddtat
“Roddat tumchech pasot”, Jezu mhonnta
Ek ostori, Jezuchem mukhamoll rumalak pusta
Tea lugttacher, Jezucho ojapamni rupkar ieta

Mon’xancho khuris Jezu dispott’to mogan vhorta
Prachit korun jivit bodlat Jezuchi Avoi Maria sangta
Patok soddunk, Ticho Put tichea bhurgeank apoita
Aplea Punorjivontponnant, mon’xank jivit bhasaita

F. X. Ribeiro, Sto. Estevam.

_________________________

Paskanchem Zagronn

Zagronnachi-Zagronn, sogllea Zagronnanchi Avoi. He povtr ratik amchea Dhormache vhoddle Ghutt ami somarombhtanv: eke vatten Somia Jezuchem Punorjivontponn ani dusre vatten amchem Povitr Snan.
Don-ui somarombh ekamekak guntlele asat: Somia Jezuchem Punorjivontponn amchea Povitr Snanachi buniad ani karonn. Amchea Povitr Snana udexim ami Jezuchem Punorjivontponn amchea jivitant apnnaitanv.
Ho orthabhorit sevadhormik somarombh chear bhagamni vanttlolo asa:
1. Poilea Bhagant ami lhan-so uzvaddacho sevadhorm kortanv ani thoim Paskanchi Vat pettoun tichi tust kortanv.
2. Dusro bhag lamb ani mhotvacho thoim eke bhaxen akh’khea Soddvonnechea Itihasar niyall korun Devachim Ojapam (Mirabilia Dei) niyalltanv ani gaitanv.
3. Tisro Bhag tech bhaxen gorjecho, Povitr Snanacho Bhag thoim udkacher Axirvad ghaltoch amchea Povitr Snanacheo Bhasavnneo novean kortanv ani Povitr Udkacho Xinvor amcher gheun amchea Povitr Snanacho ugddas kortanv.
4. Xekim Choutea Bhagant Punorjivont zalelea Somiachea Jevnnant bhag ghetanv.
Chear-ui bhag gorjeche, punn don bhagancher kherit lokx ghalpachem ani te mhollear Utracho Sevadhorm ani Povitr Snanacho Sevadhorm.
Utracho Sevadhorm: Te povitr ratik amchean nov vachpam korunk zatat ani hea vachpamni ami Sorvesporachea mukhel Korarancho ugddas kortanv. Lamb khorim punn sobit vachpam, chodd korun ami 'lok vajetolo vo jhemetolo' hem nib diun him vachpam zata titlim unnim kortanv.
Vachpam bore bhaxen kelear vo porgottlear ani modem-modem tatpurtim gayonam gailear lok vajeupachi vo jhemeupachi xoketai na, oxem mhaka dista. Tea bhair kitleo amcheo bhoinni-bhav he-tea Zagronnak, he-te suvater Night Vigilank dhanvonant zait? Ani akh’khi rat thoim sarinant zait? Ani hi Sevadhormik, orthabhorit vorsak ek pavtt zatoli sogllea Zagronnanchi Avoi hantum amchean don vo tin horam xitaben bhag gheunk zaina gai? Poile Kristanv hi akh’khi rat vachpam-magnnem-gayonam korun sartale ani fantear Jezuchem Punorjivontponn somarombhun Novea Kristanvank Povitr Snan ditale.
Povitr Snanacho Sevadhorm: Tech ratik dusri orthabhorit Rit mhollear Povitr Snanachi Rit. Povitr Snan mhollear Jezu Punorjivont zala ani Taka aplo Somi mhonn mandun gheteleanchea bhavarthacho somarombh. Soglleamni ami lhan astana Povitr Snan ghetlam ani tem amchea bhavarthacho somarombh zaunk pavonk na. Dekunuch hi Paskanche Ratik keleli Rit bhou gorjechi. Te Ratik Devachea Utrachea adaran Sorvesporachea mukhel Korarancho ugddas korun amcho bhavarth ami jivo kortoch amchea hatamni pettleleo vati gheun ami amchea bhavarthachi ucharnni kortanv. “Hoi, hanv sotmantam” ho mhozo bhavarth, dusreacho konnacho nhoi, hanv mhoje ap-khuxen AIZ Jezuk mhozo Somi mhonn mandun ghetam ani tech bhaxen Povitr Sobhek ani tichea Vhoddilank mandun ghetam. Hi bhavarthachi Ucharnni bore bhaxen kelear ' novean zolmopachi, vo believer zaun amcho bhavarth soddpachi anik goroz aschina. Amcheo soglleo addkholli suru zatat jednam ami amcho bhavarth amcho khas vo personal korinanv punn ek purvozanchi chal, ek zat, koxi palltanv, jive zhorichem udok soddun dusrea tolleamxim dhanvtanv. Paskanchi Rat amkam amcho bhavarth amcho khas korunk adar dita.
Kitem korchem:
Iede vhoddle ani Povitr Ratik ami amchea Kristi jivitak zata titlem mol diupachem ani khorench hem mol ditanv zalear dakounk ami he Ritik survatek thavn, Igorjeche dive palounchea adim, Igorjent vo Igorjechea adrar asteleanv. Hea tin disamni survatecheo riti chodd gorjecheo ani teo kitench kelear chukouncheo nhoi.
Vachpam zatana, Devachem Utor chit diun aikum-ia. Hatant 'Uloita to Sorvespor' aslear borem, vachta tem kaim karonnak lagon somzona zalear hatant aslolea pustokar thavn vachchem.
He Rati amkam don-tin pavtti vatinchi goroz poddtoli dekunuch Igorje vetana vati vhoronk visorchem nhoi. Amche lagim amchea Povitr Snanachi vo Thiravnnechea Sonvskarachi Vat asa zalear amchean ti vhoronk zatali.
Povitr Udkacho xinvor amcher poddtana amchea Povitr Snanacho ugddas ami korcho.
He ratche Ritint akh’kho ghorabo ekttaim boson vantto ghetlear ekdom’ borem zaupachem.
Kitem Vattaunchem:
Uxir vochon, vajeun koxem he orthabhorit Ritin vantto ghevop. Amchea Kristi jivitachi hi ek mukhel Rat mhonn ugddas dhorum-ia.
Akh’khe Ritik, ani kherit bhaxen Utracho Sevadhorm zatana bhair ravop ani tea von paxtt hanga thoim boson gozali korop. Itle tras kaddun, rat ibaddun ami Paskanche Zagronnek ietanv ani Igorjent yeun nhoich amcho punn dusreancho-i bhavarth ibaddtanv.
Povitr Snanacheo Bhasavnneo voilea-voir, chintinastana korop.

Almir de Sousa *V-Ixtt

Zaich zai

Zaich zai

Taka pon'nas libram bhangar zai
Jog, Kanknnam, sorpolli zai
Maskot, kannantlim, mudi zai; ani…
Painzonnam dilear,
Tim-ui zai.
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Frij, mexin, gas zai,
Kobodd, sofa, khatt zai; ani…
Monkutto dilear,
To-ui zai.
Taka sutt, butt, tie zai
Ravonk ghor na, ghor zai
Saikol, skuttor, motor zai; ani…
Tin rodanchi saikol dilear,
Ti-ui zai.
Cholounk nokllo, torui Honda zai
Vazounk nokllo, torui gittar zai
Aikonk unnem ieta, torui ‘tape-recorder’ zai, ani…
Datt harxeanchim oklam dilear
Tim-ui zai.
Hem-ui zai, tem-ui zai
Sogllench zaich zai,
Karonn,
To ek bhikari nhovro,
Taka DOT naka; punn
Hem sogllem mat zaich zai, zaich zai.

Philomena Samfrancisco, Mumboi.